Growth amid strifes: Ogbomoso's breakout year, what we really love about Oba Ghandi

Growth amid strifes: Ogbomoso’s breakout year, what we really love about Oba Ghandi

Femi OGUNLANA

The story of Ogbomoso in the last two years is nothing but interesting. The community has been in the throes of crises, arising from several contentious issues, however in the midst of it, exponential growth is being witnessed. Even when peace, relatively, pervaded the land in the past, such frenetic pace of development was never her lots. Indeed, 2025 could be described as Ogbomoso’s breakout year in recent decades. More importantly, the overwhelming fever of enthusiasm and patriotism catching on is heart thumping. It shows a community on the verge of a great lunge forward.

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In 2025, the development index spiralled, and it is all down to the courage and vision of one individual, His Imperial Majesty Oba Ghandi Afolabi Olaoye Orumogege III the Soun of Ogbomosoland. Oba Olaoye is undoubtedly rousing hope and faith and the spirit of love for the community. Despite the prevailing circumstances he refuses to be held down, he doesn’t fritter his time seeking an (elusive) peace and unity, he unwaveringly spurns being distracted. Rather, he drives passion and vision to stimulate development. Encapsulated in a ambitious 25 year-development plan, he systematically unfolds the plans, thanks to the strong team he put together divided in various committees and groups and overseen by other individuals, to accomplish the goal, which is reshaping and remodelling Ogbomosoland, and gradually making it a sought-after destination.

Most commendably, the growth is being engineered from within, the Oba is infusing the spirit of can-do, self-belief and self-help, having realised waiting on government (s) and outsiders often leads to disappointment or no or meagre achievements. His strategy is to gear indigenes and friends of the city to stir up developmental projects. There is no doubt this is working effectively and the city is experiencing a new wave of development, infrastructurally, economically, tourism-wise etc.

The Ogbomoso Palace continues to get facelift

2025 indeed is a breakout year for the city. What with the many achievements recorded in the year! The establishment of a modern Aso Ofi factory donated by a senior naval officer, Rear Admiral Sunday Oyegade, as a Chief of Naval Staff project, is one; building of amenities via the monarch’s revolutionary chieftaincy title conferment model, engendering in its first adoption, construction of a divisional police headquarters, funpark, and malls at two market locations, all executed by the new chieftaincy honourees – High Chiefs Segun Adekunle, Adeshola Adepoju, Saka Balogun and Jacob Ajani. Also, inspired by the activities of Oba Olaoye, many patriots have volunteered to execute developmental projects in the zone including a police post at Abepe area (already completed), numerous boreholes, street lights projects, construction of health centres etc. People are willingly donating towards various developmental causes, engaging in empowerment programmes, medical outreaches etc. An unconfirmed report puts the number of projects in the pipeline currently at well over 100. When a good leader is in authority the people are bestirred to make significant contributions!

The birthing of a five-day carnival – Ogbomoso Cradles Carnival – with two editions already held is another unprecedented engine spinning economic and infrastructural developments, the extent this will transform Ogbomosoland is yet unknown looking at the zeal and acceptability it is evoking. After two editions within just one year the interest and enthusiasm it has generated, home and in the diasporas, is unbelievable. Based on this, the next episode is envisaged would be bigger in terms of participation especially by the diasporans. That means injection of huge funds into the local economy. One therefore wants to encourage that the Aso Ofi fabrics particularly should be sourced from Ogbomoso and not from outside!

In addition to community projects mentioned above, entrepreneurs are also, on account of Oba Olaoye’s advocacy, coming up with businesses – in hospitality, digital technology, human resource centres, modern supermarkets, estate development among others. Most of the people behind these, attribute their actions to the inspiration drawn from the Oba. The Dreamz Suites Hotels, The Assembly (a digital hub), Onigbinde Resource Centre, Dopacy Supermarket, crop plantations, Ogbomoso GRA, among other modern estates etc are examples that readily come to mind.

The Oba himself is leading by example, committing personal resources to developmental, educational efforts and programmes. Information has it that he is getting set to personally build an estate whose revenues would be re-channeled into community development. It is on record he had an audience with President Bola Tinubu sometimes last year during which he delivered a well -articulated speech that drew applause from even the President. He asked the President for a number of projects for his domains some of which are currently being attended to. It is learnt the Federal Water Ministry’s officials recently visited the Ogbomoso Water Scheme to assess the project. Moreover, he is having a robust relationship with Oyo state’s helmsman Governor Seyi Makinde, and with his efforts and others the state government is readying inner roads’ rehabilitation project in Ogbomoso metropolis. The Soun is indubitably laying a solid foundation for more unimaginable breakthroughs.

To attest to his strong personality and visionary bent, he is moving fast, unfazed by the fierce opposition from some quarters. In the midst of strifes he thrives and makes his domain flourish like a mariwo laarin ogomo (as a newly sprouted palm frond that radiates glory and splendour though surrounded by old, fading, pining fronds. He is brilliant, an enigma, a rare breed. Many would have sat down striving to be domineering, feathering their own nest, appropriating everything. Oba Ghandi has shown no such inclination, he is not borne by parochialism but collective interests. He is quintessential personality, fagging to improve the fortunes of the town. His conviction, embodied in a sacrosanct vision, is superior to all shenanigans; an average personality would have been locked in bitter, fierce contentions with perceived and real opponents and take that as excuse for non-performance, gloating over lack of cooperation and unity. But for the Kabiyesi if it is only one person who believes in him he is ready to go the whole hog. But thank God his way is convincing and inspiring, making many people to come on board.

A brighter future and more shining land lay ahead as he declares in his New Year message. It’s imperative that we all queue behind him if we truly love this town. What is to be gained collectively and individually in locking horns with our traditional ruler? Only regrets, anger, loss of focus, loss of opportunities and possibilities, estrangement, ostracization and so on. Time, energy and resources that should have been harnessed to forge ahead are utilised on sustaining strifes. We have an Oba who is selflessly championing the rebranding of our beloved city, an incontestable conclusion, with results unobscured despite all contradictions. Thus, it behoves everyone to rally round him and refrain from hurling invective or maligning him on the basis of trivial excuses, some personal shortcomings or whatever. If we cannot embrace him with his weaknesses we should stay aloof and not seek to distract or bring him down. Alternatively, strategically outpace him in orchestrating developments, greater ones, and flaunt in competitive manner. If you are not imbued with such vision, you can stay quiet and not indulge in self-defeatism.

Oba Olaoye despite his shortcomings is basically entrapped in his vision and not given to some mischief. A few examples will suffice. He never took hardline posture on any of the contentious issues. When Ogbomoso Parapo went to court the Oba retreated to seek another channel to actualise his vision (Ogbomoso Central Council of Sons and Daughters of Ogbomosoland). Perhaps he felt precious time would be wasted and energy dissipated sitting endlessly on rapprochement against a background of implacability. When the issue of Chief Imam became intractable and unresolvable he opted for another pathway. And he succumbed to pressure to install Dr Saka Balogun as a traditional chief. Those are not the characteristics of a belligerent fighter.

Ogbomoso must move to the next level, and become a model city. King Ghandi has shown he is someone who can nurture and bring this to pass. He has demonstrated his grit and capabilities, in the midst of strifes, his Ogbomoso continues to grow. In a better atmosphere, the pace will definitely be faster.

On a final note meanwhile, let there be respect and submissiveness to the King, that is the major panacea for peace, unity and swinging in the same direction. It is his Ogbomoso, he is the prima-facie here, granted to him by his forebears.